The difference in the throws can be attributed to the relationship between mass, speed, and kinetic energy. Kinetic energy is calculated using the formula \( KE = \frac{1}{2}mv^2 \), where \( m \) is mass and \( v \) is speed. The 16-pound shot, being heavier, likely requires more force to achieve a similar speed as the lighter 12-pound shot. However, the athlete may have been able to generate greater speed with the lighter shot, thereby increasing its kinetic energy, which contributes to the longer throw distance of the 12-pound shot compared to the heavier one.
An athlete is practicing shotput using a 16-pound shot, and he throws it 40 feet. He then uses a 12-pound shot and throws it 50 feet. In three to four sentences, explain why there is a difference in these throws using the ideas of mass and speed and how each relates to kinetic energy.(4 points) please
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